Yes, you read that right. It’s possible. Solid fitness is required but the mind is a powerful tool that can make the body go much further. Find out how to train the most important muscle in your body: the brain. Continue reading…

Periodically, our Women Masters team enjoys special rowing skills workshops with some of the best coaches in the country. Last spring, two boats of mostly advanced women’s team members participated in a great two-day workshop with renowned coach Mayrene Earl. Just recently, Saturday August 17, 2014, two boats of mostly intermediate rowers spent a day with Deirdre McLoughlin, voted last year’s Fans Choice Coach of the Year at the prestigious Golden Oars awards and former Marin Rowing Masters women’s coach. Deirdre’s approach is fun and informal, with a focus on the fundamentals of stroking technique — quick bodies over, relaxed inboard arm, quick catches and ‘working with what you got’ — not overcompensating with too much reach at the catch, which causes ‘check’ and slows the forward motion of the boat. Deirdre is also an outstanding PT and she spent time teaching us basic body dynamics for lifting boats and avoiding injury. Finally, all rowers were videotaped and given specific critiques for areas to work on — head down, inboard arm relaxed, pull in high [no dumping into my lap] for me.

The East Bay Rowing Club has hosted two Learn to Row days in as many weeks. The first was with our local community, taking one and all for a guided tour around the boathouse, on the ERGs and onto the water! A glorious weekend day was welcomed by dozens of landlubbers wanting a taste of the pleasure and pain involved with our great sport. Attendees came from Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa Counties to get a glimpse of what the EBRC is lucky enough to experience every day, a side of Oakland that is stunning and beautiful on the waters of the estuary.

Next up was a private event with our friends in the Coast Guard. Many cadets hopped off their cutter Stratton and it’s home base in Alameda, right down the road from us. We give them quite a bit of barking each morning at 6am, as the tip of their cutters mark our starting line for the 2k training sprints. I’m sure they get quite a kick watching the occasional boat dump or locking oars from some of our novice boats! A few dozen attendees from the USCG were quick to learn the seaward ways of port and starboard, and they even taught us a few things about knot tying and the tides. We’re looking forward to getting the invite to come and see their boathouse (hint hint).

Come one, come all down to the boat house on Saturday, the 20th of July for our second Learn to Row (LTR) of the Summer. We’re going to be going over standard rowing terminology, proper use of a land rower aka ergometer, take some strokes on the Oakland Estuary and learn all about the sport.

The EBRC Learn To Row Class will be held on Saturday, July 20th, from 10am to 1pm.

Jack London Aquatic Center
115 Embarcadero
Oakland, CA 94607

For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact info@eastbayrowingclub.org

Our two-week LTR program will begin that following Monday the 22nd for all
novice men, and the 23rd for all novice women. The two week learn to row class extends until August 3rd.

East Bay Rowing Club Celebrates National Learn to Row Day

In honor of the national campaign, East Bay Rowing Club is offering a free introductory class on sweep rowing.

Oakland, CA – May 06, 2013 – East Bay Rowing Club (EBRC), a competitive and recreational rowing club, announced today that it will offer a free Learn to Row class on National Learn to Row Day- Saturday, June 01, 2013.

USRowing, the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States, and Concept2, the oar and ergometer manufacturer, have encouraged rowing clubs around the country to introduce newcomers to the sport of rowing. More than 100 clubs throughout the United States are expected to participate. EBRC will open its doors for a free introduction to rowing in a fun and inspiring environment.

Participants can expect to:
– Tour the boathouse and get acquainted with rowing terms
– Learn the basics of the rowing stroke on an erg (indoor rowing machine)
– Understand basic boat handling
– Apply new skills with a short row in our barge and get a taste of rowing on the water
– Learn about opportunities to join our men’s and women’s teams

The session will take place from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Class size is limited, so participants are encouraged to register by sending an email with contact information to info@eastbayrowingclub.org. Drop-ins and all fitness levels are welcome. This event is designed for adults; however, if youth are interested in this program, please contact us for special arrangements.

What to wear and bring:
Comfortable but tight-fitting clothing, hat, socks, sunscreen, sunglasses and a bottle of water.

About East Bay Rowing Club

Founded in 2007, EBRC is a non-profit organization with a Master’s rowing program consisting of approximately 90 rowers, and a Youth rowing program that runs the Oakland Technical High School rowing program. Additionally, EBRC engages with military veterans and adaptive rowers. Through participation in the sport of rowing, EBRC emphasizes fitness, sportsmanship, safety, etiquette and environmental awareness of the Oakland Estuary, its wildlife and surrounding waterways. EBRC also trains athletes to compete in regional and national rowing competitions. Members of the Master’s team range in age from 22 to 74.

EBRC is always looking for new members to join the team. Oakland and San Francisco Bay
Area residents interested in the sport of rowing, experienced or not, should send an email to info@eastbayrowingclub.org to learn more.

A new series of summer camps have just been announced for youth rowers in the Bay Area. Led by Axel Stelter – former Cal rower, member of the German national team and, more prolifically – EBRC men’s head coach. Held at the Jack London Aquatic Center in Oakland, these sessions are a great introduction to the sport and preparation for the next year of high school rowing. Sessions start June 24th and run all the way until August 19th. Take one, take them all!

In addition to being a great way to gain collegiate scholarships, high school rowing helps shape discipline and commitment to a team and one’s own personal fitness. Oakland Tech’s teams will compete all across the state and country at youth rowing events. Learn a sport that will be with you for the rest of your life, something that you can enjoy forever.

A recent NYT mag article describes the benefits of exercising in the outdoors versus a sweaty gym. Longer duration, greater euphoria and more calories burned. We at the EBRC are not sure whether or not the recently declining temperature at 5am sees an inverse correlation to the advantages mentioned, but all that shivering done in the boat has to count for something! [ Update – apparently that shivering really does count for something. ]

In all seriousness, the nirvana we all seek is that period just before sunrise, three-quarters of the way through a hard workout where we look at each other with childlike giddiness. We are so lucky to be able to do this with one another.

Another great team building event with the local folks at xMatters. They were well-versed on all aspects of rowing and moving as a team out on the water. What a great way to spend an afternoon with your co-workers and enjoy a unique experience out on the bay. xMatters showed determination and grit in their rowing, they can really compete out there on the bay!

To book some time for your team out on the estuary, contact EBRC today – we look forward to working with your corporation to have a great event.